Why does my head gasket keep going?
Head gasket failures are usually the result of engine overheating, so ensure coolant is topped up and the coolant system is in good working condition, with no leaks and an efficient radiator. A properly-installed head gasket will also prevent future damage.
How many miles does a head gasket last?
If the engine is running cool and smooth, then the head gasket should last as long as the engine. In 2010, this means you may get 200,000 miles, or more than 10 years, out of that head gasket.
Can you fix a blown head gasket?
Most blown head gaskets can be properly fixed without a mechanic. There is a point where the damage is too great and you will need the expertise of a professional to replace the gasket, but many leaks in a head gasket can be taken care of with one of our products. Head Gasket Repair — p/n 1100.
Can a faulty head gasket cause an oil leak?
A faulty head gasket can also allow engine oil to leak into the coolant passages in the cylinder head. This often shows up as an oily/milky residue in the coolant expansion tank, as the oil floats to the surface of the coolant. Again, be careful though, as this can also be caused by a leaking engine oil cooler or transmission oil cooler. 4 Smoking
When is a head gasket failure bad news?
A head gasket failure is bad news, very bad news, and will require immediate attention. A head gasket can fail in a number of different ways (coolant leak, oil leak, loss of compression), some of which we told you about recently, and all of which are bad news for the engine.
Why do you need a head gasket on an engine?
The head gasket prevents liquids and gases from escaping into adjacent cylinders and the surrounding oil and coolant galleries. Engine coolant surrounds each cylinder in order to maintain a stable operating temperature; it also needs to flow into the cylinder heads to cool the combustion chamber, valve and spark plugs.
How can you tell if you have a blown head gasket?
From a purely visual perspective, the most surefire evidence of a blown head gasket is the presence of leaked coolant along the gasket surface. In the majority of cases, leaks occur between the engine’s combustion and cooling components.